FSPY Gymnasts Record Strong Performances

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA A & B Division gymnastic teams competed in three levels on Jan. 31 in a meet at the Madison Area YMCA.

The "A' Division teams, including competitors from Fanwood-Scotch Plains, Madison, Somerset Valley and South Mountain YMCAs, competed in two levels:  Level 8 and Level 9.

The Level 9 gymnasts that competed focused their efforts on perfecting their skills and obtaining scores qualifying them to compete at the Championship Division of the YMCA National Championships. Three gymnasts from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA competed at Level 9: Hannah Kronick, Samantha Mazzucco and Gina Pelosi. Kronick did obtain her objective, while Mazzucco narrowly missed. Pelosi only competed in three events, due to a knee injury; however, she had achieved her qualifier in the first meet of the season.

Level 8 competitors also competed to obtain qualifying scores for the Developmental Division of the National Championship meet and were awarded individual ribbons at the Jan. 31 meet. Level 8 award winners from the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA in the 13 and under age group were Lauren Lockfeld and Lizzie Kwok. Lockfeld placed 4th All Around, receiving 1st on Vault, 3rd on Balance Beam, 4th on Floor Exercise and 5th on the Uneven Bars. Kwok was 5th on the All Around podium, earning 2nd on Vault, 3rd on Uneven Bars, 4th on Balance Beam and 6th on Floor Exercise.

In the 14-15 year old age group, 2nd place All Around went to Zoe-Nicole Stein.  Stein was also awarded 1st on Vault and Uneven Bars, 2nd on Floor Exercise and 3rd on Balance Beam. Third place All Around was awarded to Kaitlyn Frey who also received 2nd place on Vault and Balance Beam and 4th place on both Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise. Marissa DiBella earned 4th place All Around, along with 3rd on Vault, Uneven Bars, and Floor Exercise and 4th place on Balance Beam.

The 16 and over competitors saw Lisa Matrale in the 3rd place All Around spot.  Matrale received 1st for her performance on Floor Exercise, 2nd on Vault and Balance Beam and 4th on the Uneven Bars. Fifth place All Around went to Olivia Dunham who also earned 3rd place on Vault, 5th on both Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise and 6th place on the Balance Beam. Kelsey Herbig received 6th place All Around as well as on Vault, Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise and 4th place on Balance Beam.

The B Division competitors also competed against gymnasts from the Madison, Somerset Valley and South Mountain YMCAs. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA gymnasts came out at the top at the end of the day with a score of 97.75 over Somerset Valley's 95.75 and South Mountain's 86.85. Madison did not field a full team contingency this meet.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA 'B' Division gymnasts were represented in two age groups. In the 12-13 age group, Abigail Fontana earned 2nd place All Around.  Fontana also earned 1st on Balance Beam, 2nd on Floor Exercise and 4th on the Uneven Bars. Danielle Scheu and Paige VanBuskirk tied for 4th place All Around.  Additionally, Scheu earned 1stplace on Floor Exercise, 2nd place on the Uneven Bars, and 5th place on Vault, while VanBuskirk earned 2nd place on Vault, 4th place on Floor Exercise and 5th place on both Uneven Bars and Balance Beam.

Sticking her balance beam routine paid off for Alyssa Gardner who was awarded 3rd place on both Balance Beam and Floor Exercise. Cara Provenzano was awarded 3rd place on Vault and 5th place on Floor Exercise. Another teammate to stick her beam routine, Rachel Butler also earned 3rd place on that event. 

The 14 and over competitors put in strong performances. Michelle Rogoff had an exceptional meet, earning 1st place All Around, as well as on Vault, Uneven Bars and Balance Beam. Rogoff also earned 3rd place for her Floor Exercise performance. Second place All Around went to Heather Mullen. Mullen also received 1st on Floor Exercise, 2nd on Vault and Balance Beam and 3rd place on the Uneven Bars. Joelle Pisauro captured 2nd place on the Uneven Bars and 3rd place on both Vault and Balance Beam. 

The Early Spring Session of classes has just begun and spaces are still available for some Gymnastics classes. Gymnastics classes offered at the YMCA include parent-toddler and preschool classes. Gymnastics classes for school-age girls are offered Monday through Saturday at the Martine Avenue facility. Open Gym is also available on select Saturdays as well as birthday parties. Please call (908) 889-8880 for more information about gymnastics at the YMCA.